Scripps Spelling Bee

IU School of Education is a proud sponsor of the Scripps Spelling Bee

The IU School of Education in Indianapolis is a proud sponsor of the Scripps Spelling Bee.

The Regional Spelling Bee is open to students in grades 3 through 8 who have excelled in their school and district spelling bee competitions. These students have worked tirelessly to perfect their spelling skills and put their knowledge to the test in front of friends, family, and the surrounding community.

The 2023 competition saw twenty-five talented spellers representing 19 schools throughout the Hamilton and Marion counties. The eventual winner, Gavin Sigua, went on to compete in the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee, representing the Indianapolis region.

The 2024 competition was administered via traditional in person, taking place on March 17th. Over thirty participants participated in the bee, with the eventual winner, Miah Miller, going on to compete in the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee, representing IU School of Education Indianapolis.

The 2025 competition oversaw a monumental thirty-five spellers from the Indianapolis area. Fifty-one schools participated in the qualifying rounds for the Regional Spelling Bee. The eventual winner, Owen Shirey, will go on to complete in the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, representing IU School of Education Indianapolis. The 2025 competition will celebrate the 100th year of Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The competition encourages the exploration of words and lifelong curiosity, with a focus on helping students set goals and dedicate time to study and prepare. Participation in the bee program also provides an opportunity for students to gain experience in public speaking and poise under pressure.

Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee in photos

Tim Williams, Scripps Bee Regional Coordinator, and Interim Assistant Dean, welcomes the spellers to the Regional Spelling Bee. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2023
Trophies for the winners on display during the competition. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2023
Eventual winner, Gavin Sigua, asking the moderator a question about the given word's origin. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2023
Lasana Kazembe, Ph.D., moderator of the Spelling Bee, listening to the speller give their response. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2023
Gavin Sigua, winner of the Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee, spells the word, “connoisseur” correctly. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2023
Gavin Sigua, winner of the Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee, receiving the first-place trophy from Tim Williams. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2023
Gavin Sigua, and Tambra Jackson, Ph.D., Dean at the School of Education, share a congratulatory moment. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2023
Gavin Sigua, along with members of the Rotary Club of Indianapolis who served as judges for the competition, share their congratulations to the winner of the Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2023
The group of spellers get ready for the 2024 Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2024
Eventual winner, Miah Miller, steps up to the microphone to spell her next word. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2024
Lasana Kazembe, Ph.D., moderator of the Spelling Bee, giving the introduction of the rules. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2024
A speller awaits their turn during the second round. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2024
Gavin Sigua, 2023 Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee winner and 2024 runner-up, asks for the definition of a word. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2024
Gavin Sigua and Miah Miller, share a congratulatory moment, as Miah spells the final word correctly and is the 2024 Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee winner. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2024
The top three winners of the 2024 Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee and Dr. Ted Hall, Assistant Dean for Student Support, Clinical Associate Professor, pose for a photo. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2024
The 2025 Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee brought 35 spellers to the competition, with fifty-one schools participating in qualifying rounds. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2025
Dr. Joseph Edmonds, the Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee pronouncer, giving the spellers their instructions. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2025
The culmination of hard work results in a trophy for the top three winners, cash prizes for the champion, and gold medals / certificates for the rest of the competitors. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2025
The top three winners of the Indianapolis Regional Spelling Bee with SoE Faculty Coordinator, Dr. Ted Hall. Photo by Brayden Bridgeman - 2025

About the Scripps National Spelling Bee

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation’s largest and longest-running educational program, having launched in 1925. The purpose of the Scripps National Spelling Bee is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives. Visit spellingbee.com for more information about the Scripps National Spelling Bee.